Local News

This week the superintendent for the Taos school district announced her final decision to relocate the alternative high school. The shakeup has caused teachers to quit, and some students said they’re being left in the lurch.

SHIPROCK, N.M.—Navajo youth are walking hundreds of miles across their reservation for what they call a Journey for Existence. They will be summiting one of their sacred mountains near Cortez, Colorado, this weekend to offer prayers for the planet.

Faith leaders in New Mexico are asking citizens to take personal responsibility for tackling climate change.

Muslim, Jewish and Christian leaders stood together beneath the broiling sun Tuesday morning, pledging their support for a new Papal Encyclical, which encourages people to curb their consumption of energy.

Sister Joan Brown is with the religious nonprofit New Mexico Interfaith Power and Light.

Federal officials have finalized an analysis that ensures the continued operation of a northwestern New Mexico power plant and the coal mine that feeds it.

Friday's record of decision comes three years after the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement gave notice that it would study the cumulative impacts of the Four Corners Power Plant and the Navajo Mine. About 800 people work there.

We'll have live special coverage today from NPR News. At 11a President Obama is scheduled to hold a press conference. He's expected to discuss the Iran nuclear deal, the Greece bailout and possibly other topics.

New Mexico's overdose deaths reached 26.4 per 100,000 people, among the worst in the country.

Department of Health epidemiologist Dr. Michael Landen says the new data shows the state is right back where it was two years ago.

He said prescription opiates like oxycodone have become more available in the last decade and are responsible for just over half of the overdose deaths statewide.

Santa Fe County's Health and Human Services Division director Rachel O'Connor says the public needs more education on the dangers of prescription drugs.

Senator: Compensate Residents Near Site Of Atomic Bomb Test – The Associated Press

A U.S. senator says those who lived near the site of the first atomic bomb test in the New Mexico desert and later developed cancer and other health problems need to be compensated.

Democratic U.S. Sen. Tom Udall said Thursday that the federal government neglected residents of the historic Hispanic village of Tularosa near the Trinity Site, where the weapon was detonated July 16, 1945.

Udall made his remarks on the Senate floor on the 70th anniversary of the test that took place as part of the Manhattan Project, the secretive World War II program that provided enriched uranium for the atomic bomb.

Tularosa residents say many of those living in the area weren't told about the dangers and suffered rare forms of cancer. They say they want acknowledgement and compensation from the U.S. government.

A northwestern New Mexico pueblo and more than a dozen communities across the state are getting federal funding for airport rehabilitation and development projects.

The total of $6.1 million of Federal Aviation Administration grants announced Thursday by Sen. Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich include $3.1 million awarded to the Zuni Pueblo for construction of a new airport and related work.

The senators said the grants will help boost local economies by increasing travel access, support economic development and encourage business expansion.

World Cup fever hit the U.S. hard this month, and Albuquerque soccer fans are still celebrating. The Albuquerque Sol are headed to the Premier Development League playoffs after finishing their regular season Monday. Their last home game was on Saturday.

Food trucks are gaining popularity in cities across the country, including right here in New Mexico. Mobile food trucks can be a bargain for aspiring entrepreneurs who don’t have the cash or experience to open a brick and mortar restaurant.

This weekend the world comes to New Mexico, as more than 150 artists kick off the 12th annual Santa Fe International Folk Art Market. For many artists from the developing world, the market has become a lifeline.

Court Rules In Favor Of Worker In Medical Marijuana Case – The Associated Press & The Santa Fe New Mexican

The New Mexico Court of Appeals has ruled in favor of an injured worker in a medical marijuana case.

The Santa Fe New Mexican reports the recent decision marks the third time in a year the court has sided with a medical marijuana patient in a workers' compensation claim.

According to the ruling issued in late June, a patient in the medical marijuana program who is injured on the job must be reimbursed by an employer for the expense of marijuana used for treatment.

Appellate Judge James Wechsler wrote that a workers' compensation judge was correct in ruling that American General Media, which owns several radio stations in New Mexico, had to reimburse Sandra Lewis of Albuquerque.

The company had argued that the state's medical marijuana law created a conflict with federal law.

Head Start Program In Las Vegas To Get Federal Boost - The Associated Press

A northern New Mexico school district has been awarded a federal grant of more than $8 million to expand Head Start programs.

The 12th annual Santa Fe International Folk Art Market takes place this weekend. More than 150 artists from around the world will be there - many of them will make the bulk of their income for the year at the market. Many artists also get intensive training and connections to international buyers to help them gain economic independence.

New Mexico Lake Sets Visitor Record During Holiday Weekend - The Associated Press

The Fourth of July weekend is always big at Elephant Butte Lake State Park, but this year topped them all.

State officials announced Tuesday that a total of 125,325 people visited during the holiday weekend to set an all-time visitation record. It's also a significant increase from last year's 98,000 visitors and the 47,000 who showed up in 2013.

More than 150 artists from around the world will gather this weekend at the Santa Fe International Folk Art Market. It has generated more than $20 million dollars in sales since it launched 12 years ago - and most of that money goes home with the artists. Those funds often support entire communities and help build schools, health clinics and homes. The money also helps revive ancient crafts in that are in danger of dying out.

Record Rainfall Reported In Parts Of New Mexico – The Associated Press

The latest storm to hit central New Mexico was one for the record books.

Forecasters at the National Weather Service in Albuquerque say the rain gauge at the city's airport received 2.24 inches Monday, setting a record for 24-hour rainfall.

Some rainfall reports came in over 2 inches and more than five dozen sites in the area reported over an inch.

Meteorologist Brian Guyer says that over the last five days just about everyone in central and eastern New Mexico reported between an inch and 3 inches of rain with higher amounts up to 5 inches in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

With the rain have come flash flood warnings. Some damage has been reported in Santa Fe, Rio Arriba, San Miguel, McKinley and Torrance counties.

The Santa Fe International Folk Art Market has generated more than $20 million in sales since it began 12 years ago. Most of that money goes home with the artists and supports entire communities. In some cases, shared prosperity also helps heal the effects of trauma.